Maciel proposed for BGCT second vice president

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ARLINGTON—Dennis Wiles, pastor of First Baptist Church in Arlington, plans to nominate René Maciel, president of Baptist University of the Américas, for second vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

rene-maciel 200-insideRené Maciel, president of Baptist University of the AméricasWiles will recommend Maciel’s election during the BGCT annual meeting July 14-17 in San Antonio.

When Wiles visited the BUA campus several weeks ago to deliver the Pinson Lectures on Baptist Distinctives, he observed Maciel’s influence on the school.

“His enthusiasm is contagious, and his vision is making a profound difference in the life of BUA and the broader Hispanic community,” he said.

“René is a churchman, a visionary leader and a servant. He is a family man who loves his wife and daughters. I am always inspired when I am with him. I am honored to place his name on the ballot for Texas Baptists to consider.”

Maciel has served as president since 2007 at BUA, a BGCT-related institution in San Antonio committed to training cross-cultural Christian leaders in a Hispanic context. About 250 students are enrolled in the school’s baccalaureate degree programs, and 500 are involved in diploma programs through Baptist Bible Institutes, primarily along the Texas/Mexico border.

Previously, Maciel was assistant dean of Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. He also served as an administrator at New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home in Portales, N.M.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Hardin-Simmons University and his master’s degree in higher education administration from Baylor University, and he later served in administrative positions at both schools.

“I am a product of Texas Baptist institutions, and I believe in the work of Texas Baptists,” he said. “I believe we have good days ahead in Texas Baptist life, as we seek to share the gospel with so many people groups in so many languages in our state.”


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Maciel leads music and worship at First Baptist Church in Castroville, and he served the church previously as volunteer youth minister.

“I love the church, and I would love for Texas Baptists to make sure that all our churches are healthy churches,” he said. “I would like to see us do more to help pastors, other ministers, deacons and all church leaders.”

He and his wife, Sabrina, have two daughters—Brianna, an elementary school teacher in Belton, and Carmen, a junior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.


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